For seven innings it was a well-paced game, with both starters on their game. Joe Blanton (2 R, 7 H, 0BB) had the best game of his rocky season; Jonathan Niese (1R, 4H, 5BB) settled down in the 3rd. Neither figured in the decision. Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless 8th for the Phillies but Bobby Parnell did not get an out in the bottom of the inning. Two Mets' pitchers later, 11 Phillies had come to the plate, scoring six runs. New guy Mike Sweeney, who also made a nifty diving defensive play, led it off with a single, went 1st to 3rd on a Werth single, and scored the tying run. Many men later Sweeney had the final hit of the inning, another single. In between it was lots of good at-bats, good hitting, and good baserunning. The Chooch train was running; Carlos Ruiz knocked in the go-ahead run in the 8th.
Danys Baez got two outs in the 9th but left with two men on. The struggling J.C. Romero then gave up a three-run homer to pinch-hitter Mike Hessman. Brad Lidge came in for a quick final out in the 7-5 win.
If Mike Sweeney does nothing else in his Phillies' career, he will be remembered for last night. For the 16-year-veteran Sweeney, this is his first stint on a contending team. He has played on winning teams only twice before in his career. It was nice to hear him say that while he and Cliff Lee were both with the Mariners, Lee frequently talked about how wonderful it had been to play in Philadelphia.
Before the game catcher Darren Daulton was inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame. All kinds of alumni were on hand (it's Alumni Weekend) for the ceremony, including some of Daulton's partners in crime from the 1993 team. It was sweet to see Johm Kruk give Dutch a hug and a kiss. Tough guys getting mellow. It is still mind-boggling that Daulton, Kruk, and closer Mitch Williams have gone on to careers in the media. All three are very good, too.
